Borders' violation by US: opposition for clear-cut stance by government, Army

Most of the parliamentarians from opposition on Thursday demanded of the government and Pakistan Army to come up with a clear-cut stance on border violations by US forces in Afghanistan, as they expressed dissatisfaction over the present fluid position of Pakistan on the issue.
Sources told Business Recorder that the lawmakers from PML-N, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and other opposition parties were not satisfied with some contentions of the military top brass vis-à-vis 'so called' war on terror. The dissatisfaction was expressed by the lawmakers during the questions/answers session in the joint sitting of the parliament.
The sitting continued for the second consecutive day with speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza in the chair. The law makers from some of these parties have questioned the view-point of the military leadership and said that briefing given by military on Wednesday offer nothing new on the basis of which the parliamentarians could give their inputs to ensure effectiveness of the war against militancy.
Sources said that military officers present in the briefing avoided answering contentious questions as the lawmakers were informed that disclosing certain aspects of the counter-terrorism campaign could jeopardise the national security.
According to the sources a good number of MPs from the ruling coalition were not ready to digest the army's view-point on its face value. They were of the view that army must do more to convince the parliament.
The joint session was convened by the government to develop either consensus or broad-based understanding on the ongoing war against militants in Swat and Fata. But, the Thursday's session, which was reserved for questions and answers, indicates the government efforts to build consensus are not going to be productive.
According to sources, by convening the joint session the PPP was keen that all the political forces back the war and the government and the opposition could equally own the counter-terrorism offensive being underway in different parts of the country.
A PPP leader, when contacted, said that joint session would be continuing next week and the army would be able to convince the parliamentarians in days to come. The questions and answers session has always been a crucial stage, but this does not mean that political and military leadership would come to a common ground at the conclusion of the session.
Meanwhile, according to a press release issued by the National Assembly secretariat the in-camera joint session of the parliament continued for the second day in the Parliament House. The Session continued for 4-hours and 20-minutes. The parliamentary leaders of all the political parties participated in the questioning related to law & order and security. The Director General (Military Operations) answered the questions of the Parliamentarians.
The session was adjourned till 11.00am Monday. After the briefing and question & answer session, the committee of the whole house was converted into the joint sitting of the parliament, in accordance with Wednesday resolution. The House will meet as joint sitting on Monday. Prime Minister Gillani and Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani were also present during the session.